Chair Lee urges baselining of CUNY ACE, ASAP, and Reconnect
Lee calls on the Mayor to add and baseline $22.5 million for CUNY retention programs including ACE, ASAP, and Reconnect, expressing disappointment these were not included in the executive plan.
In the Council's preliminary budget response, we called on the Mayor to add and baseline a total of $22.5 million to CUNY's budget to invest in essential programs that ensure student retention, such as CUNY ACE, CUNY ASAP, and CUNY Reconnect,
that they remain in place.
While we so often look at recruitment to CUNY colleges, programs that encourage people to return and to stay at a higher education, returning to stay in higher education must be fully funded and baselined.
We were disappointed to see that these programs were not included in the plan.
And while we are happy to see the administration baseline operating support for CUNY, we urge the administration to go further.
CUNY is New York's gateway to affordable higher education, but this opportunity is only as strong as the supports that allow students to reach the finish line.
The evidence-based programs at stake have demonstrated clear, measurable impact on retention and graduation rates, and students are counting on them.
I look forward to hearing more from the Chancellor today about where that funding stands and what is needed to protect it.